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Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Kelowna Rockets president and general manager Bruce Hamilton has announced that 20-year-old Rockets defenceman Mitchell Chapman has been placed on injured reserve for the rest of the Western Hockey League season.

Chapman has been out with a high ankle sprain since suffering the injury on the first day of the Rockets 2012-13 training camp, an injury that did not heal as expected.

"It was decided by our medical team today that Mitchell is likely going to need surgery," said Hamilton. "It's a huge blow for our organization, losing a player like that. He's been with us for three full years and missing his 20-year-old season is a tough break for him."

Chapman, a 6-foot-3 225 pound defender, joined the Rockets in the 2009-10 season. He played 165 regular season games and a further 18 in the playoffs.